6 charity singles for Christmas 2015

The Christmas Number One spot is still a coveted achievement for singers and performers – and charity fundraisers. Here is a selection of songs that will raise funds in their effort to be the Christmas Number One for 2015.

1. NHS Choir and Bridge Over You

NHS staff and supporters have recorded Bridge Over You, a cover of Fix You by Coldplay and Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel. Under the hashtag NHS4XmasNo1 there is a big campaign trying to “get the NHS to the Christmas Number One”.

Although the single is already available campaigners are encouraging the public to wait until 19 December before they purchase it, so that there is a surge big enough to win them the top spot.

There is also a JustGiving crowdfunding campaign to help the single get made. Donations of over £15 get a ticket to the performance on 19 December at Islington Town Hall, London. Any further profits from the campaign will be donated to Carers UK, MIND, SAMH & NIAMH.

3. Organised Crime by Insane Society

Tunbridge Wells-based punk band Insane Society have released a parody of Cliff Richards’ Christmas hit ‘Mistletoe and Wine’. With commentary on the commercialism of Christmas, the song still has a positive tone, and will be raising funds for Aspire Dance Academy, which works with disadvantaged children across Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge.

4. Christmas is Here by Naomi Clarke & friends

Naomi Clarke and friends at Cambridge University and further afield have performed and recorded a Christmas single, with all proceeds going to Save the Children UK. By 8 December it had already raised £1,700 for the charity.

5. The Same Old Christmas by Nick Cope

Children’s songwriter and performer Nick Cope is performing The Same Old Christmas in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital. The children of Tower Hill Primary are also involved. It is available on iTunes.

6. Echoes of Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin’ Stevens

Shakin’ Stevens’ ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ topped the charts 30 years ago. To mark this anniversary Shakey has re-recorded the hit, renamed as ‘Echoes Of Merry Christmas Everyone’, and is donating the proceeds going to The Salvation Army. The song was released on 4th December via Right Track/Universal.

The song’s video depicts the wide range of issues that the Salvation Army, 150 years old this year, is tackling, from fighting modern slavery and human trafficking, providing refuge for those suffering from domestic abuse, and giving food and shelter to the homeless, to providing relief during major disasters.

“The Salvation Army has really enjoyed working with Shaky on the video, and the opportunity to share with everyone the important caring practical work we do, showing how we put our beliefs into action.”

And because we knew there would be more than six, here are some more charity Christmas singles.

7. I’ve Got These Feelings by A Hundred Merry Tales

Viral YouTube stars Rufus Starlight and Baddy Paris are launching their Christmas music video A Hundred Merry Tales on 16 December. The creators of We are brothers – a Best Man Song will donate “100% of profits” to pet charities, following their experience of adopting a rescue dog, Teddy. The aim is to inspire and change the way people think about rescuing pets. The song will feature humour to deliver the message that if you rescue a pet, you are a ‘rescue hero’ because you’re saving two lives.

The video will raise funds through YouTube views and ad clicks, song and video sales, and merchandise profits. “We’re delighted to support A Hundred Merry Tales with their Christmas charity message that highlights the concept of ‘rescue first’”, said Ira, CEO of ‘All Dogs Matter’, one of the pet charities being supported by A Hundred Merry Tales. “We’re happy that AHMT is shedding light on the important role that rescue pets can play in one’s life.”

They are crowdfunding the cost of production and have already reached 12% of the £5000 target on Indiegogo. Here’s their pitch:

8. We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Goats

Some clever goats and their recording studio friends have produced not just one charity single this Christmas, but a whole Christmas album ‘All I want for Christmas is a goat’, all in aid of Action Aid Sweden.

Here is Holy Night, Goat Edition:

Jingle Bells, Goat Edition:

And we shall end with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Goat Edition:

9. Centrepoint Christmas Choir and O Christmas Tree

One of youth homelessness charity Centrepoint’s young residents has rewritten the Christmas song ‘O Christmas Tree’ to reflect the dangerous choices young people living on the street face during the festive season.

The Centrepoint Christmas Choir performed it publicly with students from the Sylvia Young school. Note the text-to-donate call to action on the sheet music the singers are holding.

About Howard Lake

Howard Lake is a digital fundraising entrepreneur. Publisher of UK Fundraising, the world's first web resource for professional fundraisers, since 1994. Trainer and consultant in digital fundraising. Founder of Fundraising Camp.

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